Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHA393573’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHA393573’, particularly characterized by having reddish-purple and striped flowers with light purple edges and dark purplish-red lips, flowers that are concave in lateral view, panicle inflorescence, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHA393573’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHA393573’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withnumerous attractive, reddish-purple, and striped flowers with lightpurple edges and dark purplish-red lips, suitable for potted plantproduction.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHA393573’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in March 2014 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of theproprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘PHALUFREL’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,259) with the proprietary male, or pollenparent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘47474-02’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in December 2016. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2018 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Apr. 22, 2021 (Application no. 2021/1109), byApplicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from theinventor. ‘PHA393573’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year orless before the effective filing date of this claimed invention byApplicant who obtained ‘PHA393573’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHA393573’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1) Reddish-purple and striped flowers with light purple edges        and dark purplish-red lips;    -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is concave; and    -   3) Appearance of inflorescence is panicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds,and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands,from 50-week-old plants in February 2022. Colors in the photographs maydiffer from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, andfoliage of ‘PHA393573’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHA393573’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHA393573’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHA393573’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in February 2022 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHA393573’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘PHALUFREL’ (U.S. Plant            Pat. No. 29,259).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘47474-02’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B            and RHS 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots            having yellowish-green (RHS N144A) with a touch of            purplish-red (RHS N77B) colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in            vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After            transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished            after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with panicle inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 56.0 cm to 61.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 32.0 cm to 36.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 6 to 7 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 19.0 cm            to 21.0 cm. Width: 8.5 cm to 9.5 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Oblong.            Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the            horizontal position): Between 10 degrees and 30 degrees.            Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower            surface: RHS 146A with a purple margin (RHS N77A) toward the            tip. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth.            Thickness: 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation:            Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS            147A. Lower surface: RHS 146B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—12 to 16.        -   Length.—51.0 cm to 61.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—5.0 mm to 6.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Brown (RHS 200A) with a touch of yellow-green (RHS            147C).        -   Internode length.—3.0 cm to 4.0 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 280.0 mm to            330.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 73.0 mm to 78.0 mm. Diameter: 85.0 mm to            90.0 mm. Depth of lip: 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm.        -   Flower shape.—Concave.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 10 to 12 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Large. Length: 21.0 mm to 23.0 mm.            Width: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color:            Yellow-green (RHS 144C) at the base with a dark purple-red            shade (a color in between RHS N79B and RHS N77B) and dark            purple stripes (RHS N79B).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Emarginated asymmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to            tip): 38.0 mm to 40.0 mm. Width: 52.0 mm to 54.0 mm.            Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward the base.            Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color:            Reddish-purple (a color in between RHS N78A and RHS NN78A).            Over color: Light purple edge (RHS 76A); dark red-purple            stripes (a color in between RHS N79C and RHS N78A). Lower            surface: Basic color: Reddish-purple (RHS N78B). Over color:            Touch of light yellow-green (RHS 145C) at the base;            purplish-pink (RHS N78C) at the middle; very light purple            edge (RHS 76B); dark red-purple stripes (a color in between            RHS N79C and RHS N78A). Number of spots and stripes on the            petals (upper surface): Many stripes. Color of spots and            stripes on the petals (upper surface): A color in between            RHS N79C and RHS N78A. Density of netting of the petals            (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface):            Not applicable.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Obtuse symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 43.0 mm to            45.0 mm. Width: 32.0 mm to 34.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Reddish-purple (RHS            N78A). Over color: Dark purplish-red shade (a color in            between RHS N79C and RHS N78A) and very small light            reddish-purple dots (RHS N78D) and dark red-purple stripes            (a color in between RHS N79C and RHS N79D). Lower surface:            Basic color: Reddish-purple (RHS N78B). Over color:            Yellowish-green (RHS 195B) at the middle from the base and            reddish-purple stripes (a color in between RHS N78A and RHS            N78B). Number of spots, dots, and stripes on the dorsal            sepals (upper surface): Medium stripes and many of very            small dots. Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the dorsal            sepals (upper surface): Stripes (a color in between RHS N79C            and RHS N79D) and dots (RHS N78D). Density of netting of the            dorsal sepals (upper surface): Low. Color of the netting            (upper surface): A color in between RHS N79C and RHS N79D.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 42.0 mm to            44.0 mm. Width: 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when            fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Reddish-purple (a            color in between RHS N78A and RHS N79C). Over color: Touch            of light yellow-green (RHS 144C) at the base; dark purplish            shade (RHS N79C) on one side; stripes (a color in between            RHS N79C and RHS 187B); very small dots (RHS N78D). Lower            surface: Basic color: Purplish-pink (RHS N78C). Over color:            Light yellow-green (a color in between RHS 145C and RHS            145D); purplish-pink shade (RHS N78C) and reddish-purple            stripes (a color in between RHS N78A and RHS N78B). Number            of spots, dots, and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper            surface): Medium stripes and medium of very small dots.            Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the lateral sepals            (upper surface): Stripes (a color in between RHS N79C and            RHS 187B) and dots (RHS N78D). Density of netting of the            lateral sepals (upper surface): Medium. Color of the netting            (upper surface): RHS 187B.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 5.0            mm to 7.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Dark purplish-red (RHS            N79C) at the base; dark red (RHS 187B) with very small white            tips (RHS 155B). Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.            Margin: Slightly undulated. Length: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm.            Width: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Touch of            yellow (RHS 9A) at the base; dark red (RHS 187C) and            reddish-purple (RHS N78A) toward margins. Lower surface:            Touch of yellowish-white (RHS 196D) and yellow (RHS 9B) at            the base; dark purplish-red (RHS N79C) toward margin on one            side and reddish-purple (RHS N78B) toward margin on the            other side. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe:            None. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: Not            applicable. Density of netting of the lateral lobe: None.            Color of the netting: None.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Trullate. Margin: Entire. Length: 19.0            mm to 21.0 mm. Width: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm. Color: Upper            surface: Touch of yellow (RHS 9A) at the base toward wings            margin; dark purplish-red (RHS N79C); dark red shade (RHS            59A) at the middle and dark red middle vein (RHS 187A).            Lower surface: Yellowish-white (RHS 196D) at the middle from            the base toward the tip and touch of yellow (RHS 163C) at            the base of wings; reddish-purple (RHS N78A) and dark            purplish-red (RHS N79C) toward the margins. Number of spots            and stripes on the apical lobe: None. Color of spots and            stripes on the apical lobe: None. Density of netting of the            apical lobe: None. Color of the netting: None. Bump and            ridge: Medium.        -   Callus.—Average size: Medium. Height: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.            Length: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Color:            Light greenish-yellow (RHS 4C); light greenish-yellow tips            (RHS 5C); dotted (RHS 183A on front and RHS 176A on sides).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 9.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 5.0 mm to            6.0 mm. Color: Reddish-purple (RHS N78A) at the base;            lighter reddish-purple (RHS N78B) toward the tip.        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.9 mm to 1.1 mm. Color:            Orange-yellow (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 9.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Diameter: 2.3 mm to 2.6            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 36.0 mm to 38.0 mm. Diameter: 2.8 mm to            3.2 mm. Color: Brown (RHS N200A) at the base and            yellow-green (RHS 145B) with a touch of light purple (RHS            75A) toward the flower. Texture: Smooth.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHA393573’ differs from the female parent plant ‘PHALUFREL’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 29,259) in that ‘PHA393573’ has emarginated petal apexes andflowers with a medium area of edge pattern, whereas ‘PHALUFREL’ hasrounded petal apexes and flowers with a large area of edge pattern.

‘PHA393573’ differs from the male parent plant ‘47474-02’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHA393573’ has panicle inflorescence and obtuse dorsal sepalapexes, whereas ‘47474-02’ has raceme inflorescence and rounded dorsalsepal apexes.

‘PHA393573’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALHITWOQ’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,283) and ‘PHALGLAOR’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 31,482). ‘PHA393573’ differs from the commercial variety‘PHALHITWOQ’ in that ‘PHA393573’ has flowers that are concave in lateralview and trullate apical lobes, whereas ‘PHALHITWOQ’ has flowers thatare flat in lateral view and triangular apical lobes. Additionally,‘PHA393573’ has smaller flowers and shorter whiskers than ‘PHALHITWOQ’.

‘PHA393573’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALGLAOR’ in that‘PHA393573’ has flowers that are concave in lateral view, whereas‘PHALGLAOR’ has flowers that are flat in lateral view. Additionally,‘PHA393573’ has narrower apical lobes and shorter whiskers than‘PHALGLAOR’.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHA393573’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.